Danville Correctional Center opened in October 1985. It is a medium-security adult male state prison operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections. Spanning an 85-acre campus with 17 buildings, the facility has an operational capacity of over 1,850 individuals and provides general population custody alongside specialized programs.
On July 31, 2026, a delegation sent by Nation of Islam Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad visited Danville Correctional Center to speak with the inmate population.
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, National Representative of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, wrote about the importance of the N.O.I. Prison Reform Ministry inside America’s prison facilities.
In his 1993 book, “A Torchlight for America,” in the chapter, “Developing America’s Moral Backbone,” Minister Farrakhan writes: “When you look at what the Muslims are doing with our prison program, in the midst of you, here again you see a torchlight.
Muslims are relatively crime free, and our rate of recidivism is lower than in the main. We respect law and order. Since so many of the inmates are our people, why not let us reform them and help to save some of the taxpayer’s money. And better, we can reform our people and make them productive members of society.”
The delegates visiting Danville Correctional Center were Brother Leonard Omarr Muhammad, Brother Albert 4X, and Brother Jamesramy. Bro. Jamesramy began the session. Drawing from his personal experience as a former inmate.
He addressed common misconceptions and propaganda surrounding the Nation of Islam, clearing the slate so the brothers could gain a clear and proper understanding of the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and his National Representative, Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Speaking about the experience, Bro. Jamesramy stated, “Overall atmosphere in the chapel was spirited, receptive, and high in morale.”
Brother Albert 4X shared his view of their arrival at the facility. “Arriving at Danville Correctional Center was a beautiful and deeply meaningful experience because we were being given an opportunity to serve our brothers behind the walls,” he said.
He added, “As I entered, I realized the significance of what was taking place. I was walking back into a place where I had once been confined, but this time I was returning with a purpose to serve, encourage, and give hope to the brothers who were now where I once was. That made the experience special to me.”
He also reported that 27 inmates attended and that the message delivered to the men was, “The Coming of God and the Gathering of His people.” This is also the title of a chapter in the book, “Message To The Blackman in America,” by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
“The subject was selected and assigned to us by our Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad,” said Bro. Albert. He also delivered the keynote message with a powerful saying from Minister Farrakhan: “Don’t serve the time, let the time serve you.”
Brother Albert also shared the response from the men in attendance: “The spirit of the brothers was extremely high. They were attentive, respectful, engaged, and receptive throughout the presentation of all three speakers. You could feel the energy in the room and see that the brothers were listening closely.”
Brother Leonard pointed out how they were received by the chaplain and assistant chaplains at the facility. “In truth we were received well from nearly all of the staff, including the chaplain.” He shared some of the inmates’ energy and approval of the message and brotherly love.
“The spirit of the inmates was strong. No weakness, and the spirit was joyful too, with laughter. The spirit was accepting and they all were thanking Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad for sending us to visit with them.”
Brother Leonard shared more on meeting the chaplains. “It was a good experience meeting the chaplain and we were very grateful for his accommodation. And what was equally a good experience was our meeting the three wardens. All three welcomed us beforehand and then they stood in the rear of the room, as each one of us spoke.
They listened intently and at the end as we greeted the inmates, each warden expressed enjoyment of the truth that we shared in the message. All three of us explained Allah’s (God’s) Coming being to resurrect the Black man and Black woman first; we then explained that the Teaching is for all of humanity.”
He continued, “We shared that Master Fard Muhammad’s Mother was a Caucasian woman from the Caucasus Mountains and that’s why it is insane to say that the Nation of Islam is racist!”
Brother Leonard shared his thoughts on the three wardens. “The head warden is Trent Allen, the assistant warden is Rodney Johnson and the program warden is McKenna Wenzel.
They expressed great appreciation, with Warden Johnson sharing that he and his son talk often, and his son mentions certain aspects of The Teachings as taught by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. He went on to say that his son was going to be excited to hear about the experience he’d just witnessed with representatives from the Nation of Islam.”
Brother Leonard said that Warden Johnson’s son is a college student in a city where there is a Muhammad Mosque and he was able to give that information to him so he could share it with his son. All praises are due to Allah!
“Overall, it was a most memorable experience like no other because the F.O.I. (Fruit of Islam, the men of the N.O.I.) is the best,” said Bro. Leonard.
Brother Leonard thanked the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan for choosing Student Minister Abdullah Muhammad to oversee the entire N.O.I. Prison Reform Ministry.
Thank you, Student National Prison Reform Minister Abdullah Muhammad.
—Brother Gregory Muhammad
N.O.I. Prison Reform Ministry, Delaware Valley Region,
Student Assistant
